Achievements on the field do not make a number of Indonesian badminton players ignore education. In the midst of a busy training schedule, international tournaments, and even defending the Red and White, they still managed to complete college and earn a bachelor’s degree.
This success proves that a career as an athlete can go hand in hand with education. The following are five Indonesian players who have successfully excelled on the field while completing higher education.
1. Mohammad Ahsan
Mohammad Ahsan is known as one of Indonesia’s best men’s doubles players. Partnered with Hendra Setiawan and earning the nickname “The Daddies”, he collected various prestigious titles, including the All England and a number of other international tournaments. This success is also balanced with achievements in the academic world. Ahsan has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Budi Luhur University, Jakarta.
2. Greysia Polii
Greysia Polii made history after presenting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal with Apriyani Rahayu. His achievements are not only present in the badminton arena, but also in college.
Greysia is an alumnus of Trisakti University Jakarta from the Diploma III Taxation Program. He successfully completed this education in 2015 after studying since 2010.
After hanging up her racket, Greysia is now also trusted as a member of the Executive Committee of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia). His educational journey is proof that college can still be completed amidst busy activities as a national athlete.
3. Fajar Alfian
Fajar Alfian also managed to complete his education while still actively competing at the international level. The men’s doubles specialist badminton player earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the Geography Education Study Program, FKIP, Bale University, Bandung (Unibba) in 2018.
Fajar’s graduation moment felt even more special because he received an award as an international outstanding graduate. This award was given after he and Muhammad Rian Ardianto successfully won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
4. See Septano
Former Indonesian men’s doubles player, Bona Septano, also managed to balance his sports career and education. While still actively partnered with Mohammad Ahsan from 2009 to 2011, Bona continued studying. His efforts bore fruit after graduating from the Mulia Pratama Bekasi College of Economics (STIE) with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Economics.
5. Pia Zebadiah Bernadette
Pia Zebadiah Bernadet also showed that education can still be a priority in the midst of a career as an athlete. The younger sister of Markis Kido and Bona Septano once reached sixth place in the world rankings in the women’s singles sector and won the 2006 Indonesia Satellite.
Pia then completed her education at STIE Mulia Pratama Bekasi and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Economics.
These five badminton players proved that a career in the world of badminton does not prevent them from achieving academic achievements. Champion titles and graduate degrees were achieved through hard work and discipline.
